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Mirrors and reflective objects at Kaminaljuyu

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2023

Bárbara Arroyo Open the ORCID record for Bárbara Arroyo [Opens in a new window]
Bárbara Arroyo*
Affiliation:
Research Associate, Museo Popol Vuh, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala
*
Corresponding author: Bárbara Arroyo, email: arroyob@ufm.edu
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Abstract

Slate disks have been reported from various excavations in the Maya Highlands. These artifacts have typically been described as supports or backings for iron-ore and pyrite mirrors. A number of these objects have been recovered in context at Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala. Whenever objects with reflective surfaces are identified in the field, they tend to be interpreted as mirrors, but they may have been worn as insignia on clothing. Recent finds at Kaminaljuyu, such as special deposits associated with Ballcourt B, suggest the use of reflective objects as part of the ballgame player's paraphernalia. The ballgame was an important ritual practice at Kaminaljuyu, as exemplified by the 13 ballcourts reported at the site. Archaeological evidence for this new interpretation will be presented, as well as a review of other examples excavated throughout the highlands, as part of an exploration of the exchange networks connected to regional trade in these exotic goods.

Resumen

Resumen

Varias excavaciones arqueológicas en sitios del altiplano maya han reportado la presencia de discos de pizarra, algunas veces con una cara de pirita. Estos han sido descritos como la base de espejos de pirita o algún otro mineral de hierro. Algunos de estos discos se encontraron en las excavaciones de los Montículos A y B de Kaminaljuyu. Generalmente, estos objetos se identifican en el campo como espejos; sin embargo, es posible que los mismos hayan sido utilizados cosidos a trajes e interpretados como insignias. Hallazgos recientes en excavaciones de Kaminaljuyu incluyen depósitos especiales asociados a la cancha de juego de pelota B del sitio, sugiriendo que los discos de pizarra fueron objetos reflejantes utilizados como parte de la parafernalia del juego de pelota. Este trabajo presenta información sobre estos recientes hallazgos, así como una discusión de otros ejemplos excavados en varios sitios del altiplano que formaron parte de una red de intercambio de estos bienes exóticos de la región.

Type
Special Section: Recent Research on Iron Ore Mirrors in Mesoamerica and Central America
Information
Ancient Mesoamerica , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , Spring 2024 , pp. 29 - 41
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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